Investigations on Fatigue Life of Tube Connections Based on International Codes of Pressure Vessel

The fatigue assessment of tube connections under cyclic pressure is discussed using four kinds of methods from ASME VIII-2 and EN 13445-3. FEA results are compared to the fatigue test, and some conclusions are obtained. Method 1 is the most widely used traditional method and can be used in both welded structures and unwelded structures. This method has simple operation, safety and reliability. Method 2 adopts the effective strain range to assess the fatigue for both the welded and the unwelded structure. This method is with high accuracy, good stability, safety and reliability, but the elastic–plastic analysis is very complicated. Method 3 adopts the equivalent structure stress to assess the fatigue of the welded, it is developed from fracture mechanics, and the procedure is also very complicated. Method 4 is a detailed assessment procedure for the welded and unwelded, and it is the most accurate, stable and reliable among the four methods.